As Montana’s only pediatric-specific program offering both acute and residential treatment services for children and adolescents, we are on a mission to heal, help, and inspire hope for every family we serve. As conversations around the intersection of physical and mental health have evolved in recent years, we are proud to launch the Hope Campaign—a powerful initiative to better connect with children in need across our state, provide high-quality healing opportunities, and further advance innovation in pre-birth through lifelong genetic counseling.
The Hope Campaign
Lighting the Way to Strength, Hope, and Belonging for Montana’s Children
We want to ensure every child in Montana has the opportunity to heal, grow, and reach their full potential. Shodair is not just a hospital; it is a place where hope, healing, and resilience intersect. We believe that when children are given the right support, they can overcome the greatest challenges and create a brighter future for themselves and their communities.
- For Children: We believe every child deserves access to high-quality care, exactly when they need it, regardless of their background or financial situation.
- For Communities: Healthy, resilient children grow into strong, active members of their communities. Your support creates ripple effects that benefit all of Montana.
- For Families: We provide peace of mind to families, knowing that their loved ones are receiving the care and support they need to heal.
- For Our Team: Our compassionate staff provide exceptional care for children and extend support to adults through our genetics program. This mission goes beyond a job, it’s driven by a passion for making a difference.
OUR CHALLENGE
Despite our successes, Shodair faces a significant challenge: the increasing amount of unfunded care and allied care that is required to support the most vulnerable children in our state. With the growing demand for services, more children are coming through our doors in need of immediate care, but many families simply cannot afford the costs.
No child should be denied care due to financial circumstances.
Supporters of the Hope Campaign will ensure quality care for families who otherwise couldn’t afford it, maintaining that all children have access to the services they need to heal, regardless of their ability to pay.
Our allied care team is a group of professionals dedicated to helping individuals build life skills through activities like cooking, exercise, art, and swimming, and more. These programs foster growth and equip participants with positive coping skills to manage life’s challenges.
Our diagnostic services, particularly in the realm of genetic counseling and testing, are expanding, but resources are needed to further grow this area of care to meet the increasing demand.
The Bison & the Firefly
The Bison & the Firefly is a heartfelt story designed to bring mental health awareness to a level kids can understand.
The book tells the journey of Hope, a firefly who feels lost, scared, and unable to find a way through the darkness. One day, Hope meets a wise and gentle bison who assures the firefly that it’s okay to be afraid and everyone has fears, no matter how strong they appear on the outside. Throughout the book, the bison teaches Hope how to manage fear and loneliness by developing resilience, facing challenges head-on, and leaning on the support of a community.
As they talk, Hope realizes there has always been a powerful inner light within, capable of shining even in the darkest storms. With the bison’s encouragement, Hope’s light begins to flicker back to life. The bison officially names the firefly Hope, celebrating the light within, and warmly invites Hope to be part of the herd. Later, when a group of bison calves becomes lost in a storm, Hope uses the newly discovered light to guide them safely through the darkness. Hope finds a true purpose: to help others discover their own hope and strength, ensuring no one faces their struggles alone.
SPREADING HOPE THROUGH STORYTELLING
To help spread the message of hope and raise awareness about mental health, Shodair is introducing a new children’s book featuring two special mascots. Together, Hope and the Bison will help us raise awareness about the importance of resilience, coping, belonging, and purpose, which are critical components of mental health. Through their story, we aim to ensure that the message of hope and strength reaches every child, spreading understanding and compassion across Montana.
Our mission with Hope’s Light is clear:
- Promote resilience, coping, and belonging.
- Inspire conversations about mental health in ways children can relate to.
- Spread understanding of HOPE to children, families, and communities.
Our mission with Thunder’s Strength is clear:
- Foster courage, determination, and perseverance.
- Encourage open dialogue about overcoming challenges and seeking support.
- Spread the message of STRENGTH to children, families, and communities.
We can’t change a child’s stars without you.
Your generosity lights the way for children, helping them find strength and brighter futures in difficult times. Please consider donating today.
Be Part of the Light – Name our Bison!
It’s time to be a part of something special by helping us to name our new bison mascot!
This symbol of strength and perseverance will serve as a guiding light for the kids we care for, reminding them that they can charge through life’s storms with courage and resilience.
By voting, you’ll play a unique role in the launch of this mascot, who will embody the heart of our Hope Campaign along with Hope the Firefly. These mascots will us to tell the story of the Hope Campaign as we strive to light the way from darkness to healing for children and families. Each name reflects the hope, strength, and sense of belonging Shodair provides.
Fire Carrier (Fire) – A horn used to carry coal to the next camp to lite the community fire, people would take coals from this to build fires in their lodges. The Fire Carrier had an important responsibility.
Buffalo Stone (Stone) – Talks about the return of the buffalo to the people who were going through tough times. The stone is derived from fossilized remnants of ammonite. People pray to this stone still today when going through difficult times.
Thunder – When the animals move, they make the earth shake with their power. It symbolizes the strength of the animal and the power they carry inside themselves.
CAST YOUR VOTE AND BE PART OF THE JOURNEY!